DESIGNING KITCHEN FOR YOUR COMFORT – Kitchen renovation ideas

Kitchens nowadays have become more of an entertainment centre for families and friends, therefore when designing a kitchen you have to keep in mind of how it can be designed to your comfort. Here are few points that will help you in designing a kitchen for your comfort.

ERGONOMICS in kitchen designs

There are a few details to think about when it comes to ergonomics; how you configure your cabinetry can make your kitchen a comfortable workspace for you and your family. Ergonomics kitchen cabinets maximize your efficiency and comfort by preventing unnecessary straining, stooping, bending and reaching. If the working level is too high, it can affect your upper limbs as it will raise and can result in fatigue and strain of shoulder muscles and if the working level is too low; the trunk, neck and head will incline forward which can produce postural stress for spine and its muscles. Having wall cabinets can also be a stretch for some, so consider removing wall cabinets and installing floor to ceiling pantries which will ensure a safe and comfortable work zone, also you can install drawers when it comes to base cabinets as deep drawers can hold almost up to anything you need to store in a base cabinet and its more efficient to just pull the drawer out and have all the items right in front of you, than having to open two doors and look around for what you need.

LIGHTING in kitchen designs

A careful thought out lighting plan can be your kitchens best asset. Lighting can be used for functional purpose and also to set mood when entertaining. Lighting can transform the mood of a kitchen as a lifestyle/entertainment area. It is important to have lighting that is comfortable as well as functional. When designing the lighting think first about the areas you wish to highlight.

-Task lighting: It is needed to provide light where tasks are performed such as preparing food, washing dishes and using the cooktop.

- Mood lighting: kitchens are now a multifunctional space so mood lighting can change the ambience of the kitchen from practical preparation space to chill out or entertainment area. Mood lighting can add warmth particularly where the kitchen is part of a larger family or living area, making it more comfortable.

- Natural lighting: Most kitchens today have at least some access to natural light and because of the open plan nature of most homes, it is fairly uncommon to come across a kitchen with no external windows or doors in the adjoining spaces.

Lights can also be used internally allowing the dull dark internal cupboards to be brought to life and also to make work more comfortable around the kitchen.

LIGHTING in kitchen designs

A careful thought out lighting plan can be your kitchens best asset. Lighting can be used for functional purpose and also to set mood when entertaining. Lighting can transform the mood of a kitchen as a lifestyle/entertainment area. It is important to have lighting that is comfortable as well as functional. When designing the lighting think first about the areas you wish to highlight.

-Task lighting: It is needed to provide light where tasks are performed such as preparing food, washing dishes and using the cooktop.

- Mood lighting: kitchens are now a multifunctional space so mood lighting can change the ambience of the kitchen from practical preparation space to chill out or entertainment area. Mood lighting can add warmth particularly where the kitchen is part of a larger family or living area, making it more comfortable.

- Natural lighting: Most kitchens today have at least some access to natural light and because of the open plan nature of most homes, it is fairly uncommon to come across a kitchen with no external windows or doors in the adjoining spaces.

Lights can also be used internally allowing the dull dark internal cupboards to be brought to life and also to make work more comfortable around the kitchen.

The kitchen should be oriented to either the left or right handed requirement of the primary user to create a comfortable workflow from left to right or right to left respectively and your lifestyle should determine the functionality of your kitchen, not the other way around. Work triangle is centred on creating an efficient work flow within the high use work area of a kitchen. Traditionally, the stove, sink and refrigerator are placed at point of a triangle for efficient movement in the kitchen. Work zones are an important concept when designing kitchen for one’s comfort as the sizes, shape and location of appliances can have a massive impact on how well the kitchen functions.

KEY WORK ZONES also play a vital role when designing a kitchen. Key work zones indicate the main areas within the kitchen that are most heavily worked during meal preparation, serving and cleaning up. The three key work zone and associated appliance are:

-Food storage: centred on the refrigerator and pantry, a minimum 400MM landing space beside the fridge is recommended to allow adequate space for unpacking and stowing away groceries.

-Food preparation: this zone is the most important zone in the kitchen as all actions happen here. The cooktop and sink are the main areas to consider when designing the food preparation zone. A minimum 300MM landing either side of the cooktop is recommended, with 400MM next to oven and microwave.

-Clean up zone: incorporating the sink. The sink and surrounding space can often be multipurpose and provide for work functions in both the food preparation and clean up zones. This area should incorporate storage of cleaning products and storage for clean crockery and cutlery should be located adjacent to the dishwasher. A 400MM to 600MM landing space on either side of the sink is recommended.

WORKING HEIGHTS in functional kitchen design

A kitchen should be designed keeping in mind the user’s comfort and convenience. A standard kitchen counter height is comfortable for most people and it is also the height that fits most kitchen appliances. Fitting the counter tops to the most comfortable height for you is important. You are likely to be more comfortable with a counter top height where your elbows are open at a 45 degree angle when you stand and place your hands on the counter tops. Cabinet spaces for general use in particular should be generously divided so that you’re not limiting your options in terms of height. Overhead hung wall cabinets need to be lower ensuring that you don’t go dropping down things on you head. Pantries are best designed with open shelves cut out in the middle to allow you to layer food and ensure that things don’t get hidden at the back of deep shelves and it is easily reachable, therefore working height is another important element to consider when designing a comfortable workspace in the kitchen.

ACCESSORIES to enhance user experience in kitchens

A kitchen should be designed keeping in mind the user’s comfort and convenience. A standard kitchen counter height is comfortable for most people and it is also the height that fits most kitchen appliances. Fitting the counter tops to the most comfortable height for you is important. You are likely to be more comfortable with a counter top height where your elbows are open at a 45 degree angle when you stand and place your hands on the counter tops. Cabinet spaces for general use in particular should be generously divided so that you’re not limiting your options in terms of height. Overhead hung wall cabinets need to be lower ensuring that you don’t go dropping down things on you head. Pantries are best designed with open shelves cut out in the middle to allow you to layer food and ensure that things don’t get hidden at the back of deep shelves and it is easily reachable, therefore working height is another important element to consider when designing a comfortable workspace in the kitchen.

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM

Having electronic drawers can maximise productivity, efficiency and comfort in a kitchen. Soft closing doors and drawer slide will allow you to shut doors and drawers with efficient push and no slamming and provides convenience for times when your hands are dirty or full of groceries.